Archery peep sight

ABSTRACT

A peep sight is adapted for attachment to a bowstring in spaced relation above the arrow nock positioning area of the bowstring and is characterized by having a body portion which when mounted on the bowstring will align the sight opening at an angle with respect to the bowstring such that when the bowstring is drawn to its cocked position for releasing an arrow the axis of the sight opening will extend along the line of sight of the archer.

United States Patent [191 Chesnick Jan. 14,1975

[ ARCHERY PEEP SIGHT [76] Inventor: John C. Chesnick, 4070 Marshall St.,Wheatridge, C010.

[22] Filed: Dec. 26, 1973 21 Appl. No; 427,918

[52] U.S. Cl. 33/265 [51] Int. Cl. F4lg 1/00, F41b 5/00 [58] Field ofSearch 33/265; 124/23 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,703,770 11/1972 Sofield 33/265 3,703,771 11/1972 Saunders 33/265Primary ExaminerL0uis R. Prince Assistant Examiner-Willis Little [57]ABSTRACT A peep sight is adapted for attachment to a bowstring in spacedrelation above the arrow nock positioning area of the bowstring and ischaracterized by having a body portion which when mounted on thebowstring will align the sight opening at an angle with respect to thebowstring such that when the bowstring is drawn to its cocked positionfor releasing an arrow the axis of the sight opening will extend alongthe line of sight of the archer.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures point assures precise positioning of eacharrow at the same point along the bowstring so that the arrow can beconsistently drawn back in the same manner each time. For example, arepresentative nocking point is set forth and described in United Statesapplication for patent Ser. No. 172,125, entitled BOWSTRING NOCK- INGPOINT by the applicant of this invention and is characterized inparticular by its ability to permit cocking or drawing of the bowstringwithout twisting the bowstring and misaligning the peep sight.Conventionally, the peep sight is attached to the bowstring in spacedrelation above the nocking point so as to be in the line of sight of thearcher and typically is affixed to the bowstring by separating thestrands of the bowstring and inserting them into external grooves formedin surrounding relation to the peep sight so that the peep sight will besnugly positioned within and along the central axis of the bowstring.

A particular problem associated with peep sights presently in use isthat while the nocking point may pre vent twisting or misalignment ofthe sight opening in a rotational direction about the axis of thebowstring, when the bowstring is drawn rearwardly, the peep sight willbe tipped upwardly away from the vertical and has a tendency to becomevertically misaligned with respect to the line of sight of thearchenMoreover, up ward tipping of the peep sight, particularly thosewhich are formed out of relatively flat unitary discs are often subjectto undesirable reflection of light or glare making it very difficult tosight through in aligning the arrow with a target. At the same time, itis desirable to employ a peep sight which is formed out of a discshapedbody of material, is extremely small, yet can be securely affixed inplace in the bowstring in the manner described.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide for a novel and improved peep sight which is specificallyadaptable for use in an archers bowstring and which will assure accuratesighting and alignment with a target in a positive and reliable manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for a novel andimproved archery peep sight which is compact, can be easily and rapidlyinstalled and accurately located with respect to the nocking point onthe bowstring and obviate objectionable vertical misalignment betweenthe sight opening and the line of sight of the archer to the target.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide for a noveland improved archery peep sight which is provided with a sight openingdisposed at an angle with respect to the body of the peep sight suchthat when the bowstring isdrawn to its cocked position the axis of thesight opening will be along the line of sight of the archer.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide for anovel and improved archery peep sight adapted for mounting on abowstring in predetermined spaced relation above the nocking point andwhich is so constructed and arranged as 'to minimize objectionable glareor reflection of light when the peep sight is tilted upwardly into theline of sight of the archer.

In accordance with the present invention, an archery peep sight has beendevised which may take the form either of a generally circular orelliptical body molded or otherwise constructed out of a single piece ofmaterial to define a bowstring-receiving portion, a sight opening and ahood which forms a rearward projection of the body of the sight. In itspreferred form, the peep sight takes the form of a generally circulardisc having external, bowstring-receiving grooves extending alongopposite sides of the disc symmetrically with respect to the center lineof the bowstring and a sight opening former in a central portion ofreduced thickness intermediately between the external grooves. The axisof the sight opening extends along a downward angle of inclination withrespect to a center line normal to the plane of the disc and issubstantially equal to the angle of displacement of the bowstring awayfrom vertical when the bowstring is drawn rearwardly to its cockedposition. In this way, the axis of the sight opening will be drawnupwardly into the line of sight of the archer when the bowstring isdrawn rearwardly to the cocked position. By forming the opening on anaxis disposed at a downwardly inclined angle of inclination away from aline normal to the disc, as described the effective opening size of thesight will be at its greatest when the sight is tipped upwardly into theline of sight of the archer and accordingly enables use of a smalleropening than if the opening were merely to extend on an axis normal tothe plane of the disc and thus permits construction of a more compactdisc. In addition, a recessed portion is formed out of the body of thedisc concentrically with respect to the peripheral outline of the discand which effectively defines a flared or divergent surface portion awayfrom the sight opening proper both for the purpose of minimizing glareor reflection and of channeling the archers line of sight through thesight opening.

Still another feature of the present invention resides in theconstruction and arrangement of a hood as a rearward projection of thedisc in at least partially surrounding relation to the opening as an aidto reduction of undesirable light reflection or glare.

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the presentinvention will become more readily appreciated and understood from aconsideration of the following description of a preferred form whentaken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating an archery bowstring inthe drawn position and alignment of the peep sight with respect to the:line of sight of the archer.

FIG. 2 is a front view in elevation of a preferred form of peep sight inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the preferred form of peep sight.

FIG. 4 is a side view in elevation of the preferred form of peep sightillustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 5-5 of FIG. 2.

Referring in more detail to the drawings there is shown by way ofillustrative example in FIG. 1 an ararrow A is shown in its normalposition at the nocking point positioning area P, the preferred form ofpeep sight S is positioned in spaced relation above the nocking pointpositioning area so that the line of sight of the archer, as representedin dotted form at L, is through the peep sight. It can therefore beappreciated that as the bowstring is drawn rearwardly, the peep sight Sis tipped upwardly with the upper section of the bowstring so that theplane of the peep sight extends at an acute angle to the vertical;otherwise, if the opening through the sight merely had its axis on aline normal to the plane of the peep sight, it should be drawn away fromthe horizontal so as to be at an acute angle to the line of sight of thearcher.

In accordance with the present invention, the axis of the sight openingis offset from a line extending normal or perpendicular to the plane ofthe peep sight so that when the bowstring is drawn to its cockedposition, the axis of the sight opening will extend along the line ofsight of the archer as well as accomplishing other objectives ashereinafter described. In the preferred form of peep sight illustratedin FIGS. 1 .to 5, the peep sight S is broadly comprised of a unitarybody provided with an outer peripheral bowstring-receiving portion 12, acentrally located sight opening 13 and a rearwardly projecting hood 14.

The body 10 preferably takes the form of a flat, generally circulardisc, and the bowstring-receiving portion 12 is defined by externalgrooves 15 which are formed along diametrically opposite sides of thedisc symmetrically with respect to a vertical center line extendingalong the plane of the disc. In accordance with conventional practice,the external grooves 15 permit mounting of the disc on the bowstring byseparating the strands of the bowstring, inserting the disc between thestrands and releasing the strands to move into snugfitting engagementagainst the inner surfaces 16 of the grooves. In order to assure propervertical alignment of the peep sight with respect to the bowstring, itis therefore desirable that the inner surfaces 16 of the externalgrooves be formed on a radius of curvature greater than that of thedisc, or be flattened somewhat, so that the strands will snugly engagethe inner surfaces and prevent accidental rotation or turning of thebody 10 'cher A in the process of drawing the nock N rearwardly so as toplace the bowstring B in its cocked position. An

with respect to the bowstring. As best seen from FIG.

2, the inner surfaces 16 are elongated or generally elliptical and areformed symmetrically about a major axis extending along the center lineof the disc and of the bowstring B.

The sight opening 13 is formed intermediately between the externalgrooves 15 out of a central membrane, or portion of reduced thickness,18 which is offset with respect to the plane of the disc. Specifically,the opening is in the form of a circular bore having its main axis 19normally extending along a downward angle of inclination designated 20so that when the bowstring is drawn rearwardly into its cocked positionand the body of the peep sight drawn upwardly as illustrated in FIG. 1,the axis 19 will be raised into the line of sight of the archer; or inother words, will be coextensive with the line of sight L.

A recessed portion 22 is formed out of the thickness of the body insurrounding relation to the sight opening and diverges or flaresrearwardly from the sight opening in the direction of the archer whenthe peep sight is mounted on the bowstring. As best seen from FIG. 2 therecessed portion 22 is formed about a generally elliptical surface ofrevolution intermediately between the external grooves 15 and with thesight opening 13 located somewhat above its minor axis. As a result, thelower surface of the recessed portion beneath the sight opening issomewhat deeper and broader than the upper surface portion.

A second recessed portion 24 takes the form of a counterbore which isenlarged with respect to the sight opening 13 and extends through thethickness of the body on an axis parallel to the sight opening and onthe side opposite to the first recessed portion 22.

The hood 14 projects rearwardly from the upper surface of the body 10and in surrounding relation to the sight opening. Most desirably, thehood 14 is molded or otherwise formed integrally with the body 10 and isof generally arcuate configuration projecting rearwardly from the uppersurface of the disc in a direction toward the archer and at a downwardangle of inclination substantially parallel to the angle of inclinationof the axis 19 of the sight opening. The hood l4 cooperates with thefirst recessed portion 22 to minimize light glare or reflection when thepeep sight is tipped upwardly into the cocked position; and as shownpreferably extends over the upper half of the disc when mounted on thebowstring.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the preferred form ofpeep sight as described may be molded or otherwise formed so as to be ofone-piece unitary construction. For example, the sight can be suitablycomposed of any one of the many semi-rigid or rigid plastics, rubber orrubber-like materials commercially available and can be inexpensivelymolded or cast in a one-step operation. By virtue of the uniqueconstruction of the sight, the sight opening being offset from the planeof the peep sight enables use of a small hole since the opening sizewill effectively be at its greatest when tipped upwardly into the lineof sight of the archer. Forming of the sight opening in a portion ofreduced thickness also affords finer or closer sighting and incooperation with the recessed portions and hood substantially eliminatesreflection of light or glare.

The specific angle of inclination of the sight opening with respect tothe peep sight is averaged out, being based on the average draw lengthof the different length bows presently in commercial use for competitionarchery; and in present day bows the angle of inclination 20 of the axis19 is on the order of 28 from the horizontal.

In use, the peep sight is positioned in predetermined spaced relationabove the nock point positioning area by the archer according to hisparticular requirements. The sight may be readily mounted as describedmerely by separating the strands of the bowstring and inserting thesight between the strands so that they will snugly engage the externalgrooves 15. With a minimum of trial and error the archer can accuratelyposition the peep sight so that when the bowstring is drawn to itscocked position the sight opening will be advanced into alignment withthe archers line of sight.

Although a circular disc has been illustrated in the preferred form, itwill be appreciated that the disc may assume other configurations, suchas, elliptical; or it may be of a configuration conforming to that ofthe external grooves.

What is claimed is:

1. In a peep sight adapted for mounting on an archery bowstring whereina unitary body is provided with a bowstring-receiving portion to affixsaid body to the bowstring in spaced relation above the arrow nockpositioning area of the bowstring, the improvement comprising a sightopening formed centrally of the body and extending therethrough, saidsight opening having an axis normally extending along an angle ofinclination with respect to an axis normal to the bowstring receivingportion which is substantially equal to the angle of displacement of thebowstring away from vertical when the bowstring is drawn to its cockedposition so that the sight axis will be in the line of sight of thearcher when the bowstring is drawn to the cocked position for releasingan arrow.

2. In a peep sight according to claim 1 in which the bowstring-receivingportion of the body is defined by at least one passage means soconstructed and arranged as to establish a predetermined alignmentbetween the sight opening and the bowstring when the body is mounted onthe bowstring.

3. In a peep sight according to claim 1, including a hook projectingaway from the body in a rearward direction toward the archer, said hooddisposed at an angle substantially parallel to the axis of the sightopenmg.

4. In a peep sight according to claim 4 wherein said hood has an innersurface partially surrounding and extending rearwardly away from thebody in a direction toward the archer.

5. In a peep sight according to claim 1, said sight including a firstrecessed portion with outwardly divergent surfaces in surroundingrelation to the sight opening and flaring away from the opening in adirection toward the archer when said body is mounted on the bowstring.

6. In a peep sight according to claim 5, said sight including a secondrecessed portion formed concentrically of and in surrounding relation tothe sight opening on a side of the body opposite to the first recessedportion.

7. A peep sight according to claim 6 in which said body is of generallycircular configuration having a bowstring-receiving portion defined byexternal grooves extending along opposite sides of the bodysymmetrically with respect to the sight opening and the first recessedportion being formed about a generally elliptical surface of revolutionintermediately between the external grooves of the bowstring-receivingportion.

8. A peep sight adapted for attachment to an archery bowstring in spacedrelation above the arrow nock positioning area of the bowstring in aposition along the intended line of sight of the archer comprising aflat disc of generally circular configuration provided withbowstring-receiving, external grooves formed on diametrically oppositesides of said disc including an intermediate portion of reducedthickness, said disc provided with a sight opening which is disposedalong an angle of inclination with respect to a line normal to the planeof the disc which is substantially equal to the angle of displacement ofthe bowstring away from vertical when the bowstring is drawn to itscocked position so that the sight axis will be in the line of sight ofthe archer when the'bowstring is drawn to its cocked position forreleasing an arrow, and a hood of arcuate configuration projectingrearwardly from the upper surface of said disc in a direction toward thearcher and at a downward angle substantially parallel to the angle ofinclination of the axis of the sight opening.

9. A peep sight according to claim 8, said disc including a recessedportion formed out of the thickness of the body intermediately betweensaid bowstringreceiving external groove with the surface of the recessedportion diverging rearwardly away from the sight opening.

10. A peep sight according to claim 9 wherein said disc is provided witha second recessed portion formed out of the thickness of said disc onthe opposite side of said disc to said first recessed portion and on anaxis parallel to the axis of the sight opening.

11. A peep sight according to claim 8 wherein said disc includes acentral membrane of reduced thickness formed at an angle with respect tosaid bowstringreceiving, external grooves complementary to the angle ofthe bowstring with respect to vertical when the bowstring is drawn toits cocked position, and the sight opening extending centrally throughsaid membrane.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,859,733 Dated January 14, 1975 Q Inventor(s) John C. Chesnick It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, Claim 3, line 2, cancel "hook" and substitute --hood-.

ColumnS, Claim 4, line 1, cancel "4" and substitute -3--.

Signed and Sealed this Twenty-first D a) of September 1976 [SEAL]Arrest.

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner ufl arenrsand Trademarks UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPatent NO. 3,859,755 Dated 14 January, 1975 In ent r(s) CheSlliCk,JOhI]. C.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Claims Column 5, line 25, cancel "hood" and substitute hookSigned and sealed this 27th day of May 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN I RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents AttestingOfficer and Trademarks USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTINGOFFICE. 930

FOR\M Po-mso (IO-69)

1. In a peep sight adapted for mounting on an archery bowstring whereina unitary body is provided with a bowstring-receiving portion to affixsaid body to the bowstring in spaced relation above the arrow nockpositioning area of the bowstring, the improvement comprising a sightopening formed centrally of the body and extending therethrough, saidsight opening having an axis normally extending along an angle ofinclination with respect to an axis normal to the bowstring receivingportion which is substantially equal to the angle of displacement of thebowstring away from vertical when the bowstring is drawn to its cockedposition so that the sight axis will be in the line of sight of thearcher when the bowstring is drawn to the cocked position for releasingan arrow.
 2. In a peep sight according to claim 1 in which thebowstring-receiving portion of the body is defined by at least onepassage means so constructed and arranged as to establish apredetermined alignment between the sight opening and the bowstring whenthe body is mounted on the bowstring.
 3. In a peep sight according toclaim 1, including a hook projecting away from the body in a rearwarddirection toward the archer, said hood disposed at an anglesubstantially parallel to the axis of the sight opening.
 4. In a peepsight according to claim 4 wherein said hood has an inner surfacepartialLy surrounding and extending rearwardly away from the body in adirection toward the archer.
 5. In a peep sight according to claim 1,said sight including a first recessed portion with outwardly divergentsurfaces in surrounding relation to the sight opening and flaring awayfrom the opening in a direction toward the archer when said body ismounted on the bowstring.
 6. In a peep sight according to claim 5, saidsight including a second recessed portion formed concentrically of andin surrounding relation to the sight opening on a side of the bodyopposite to the first recessed portion.
 7. A peep sight according toclaim 6 in which said body is of generally circular configuration havinga bowstring-receiving portion defined by external grooves extendingalong opposite sides of the body symmetrically with respect to the sightopening and the first recessed portion being formed about a generallyelliptical surface of revolution intermediately between the externalgrooves of the bowstring-receiving portion.
 8. A peep sight adapted forattachment to an archery bowstring in spaced relation above the arrownock positioning area of the bowstring in a position along the intendedline of sight of the archer comprising a flat disc of generally circularconfiguration provided with bowstring-receiving, external grooves formedon diametrically opposite sides of said disc including an intermediateportion of reduced thickness, said disc provided with a sight openingwhich is disposed along an angle of inclination with respect to a linenormal to the plane of the disc which is substantially equal to theangle of displacement of the bowstring away from vertical when thebowstring is drawn to its cocked position so that the sight axis will bein the line of sight of the archer when the bowstring is drawn to itscocked position for releasing an arrow, and a hood of arcuateconfiguration projecting rearwardly from the upper surface of said discin a direction toward the archer and at a downward angle substantiallyparallel to the angle of inclination of the axis of the sight opening.9. A peep sight according to claim 8, said disc including a recessedportion formed out of the thickness of the body intermediately betweensaid bowstring-receiving external groove with the surface of therecessed portion diverging rearwardly away from the sight opening.
 10. Apeep sight according to claim 9 wherein said disc is provided with asecond recessed portion formed out of the thickness of said disc on theopposite side of said disc to said first recessed portion and on an axisparallel to the axis of the sight opening.
 11. A peep sight according toclaim 8 wherein said disc includes a central membrane of reducedthickness formed at an angle with respect to said bowstring-receiving,external grooves complementary to the angle of the bowstring withrespect to vertical when the bowstring is drawn to its cocked position,and the sight opening extending centrally through said membrane.